Internationally dispersed New Zealanders Yumi Zouma share their new single “Persephone”, from their forthcoming album Willowbank, which is due out on 6 October via Cascine. The track was premiered by The Line of Best Fit, who said; “Persephone” continues the hook-rich sound that looks to dominate Willowbank, with Yumi Zouma welding slick earworms with their signature wooziness – sun-smooched vocals, shuffly indie percussion, and guitar chirrups make it effortlessly summery, and it’ll be just as at home on the dancefloor as it will be soundtracking tranquil afternoons in baking heat.”

The album was recorded last December around the Christmas holidays in the warm New Zealand summer. Spread between New York, London and Christchurch, band members Christie Simpson, Charlie Ryder, Josh Burgess and Sam Perry decided to head home to record this album, completing what would become their first significant work written and recorded entirely in their home country. They rented a studio in Christchurch’s semi-demolished CBD, on one of the few remaining blocks that still characterizes the city from before it was destroyed by a series of earthquakes.

Guitarist, keyboard player and vocalist Josh Burgess says, “It was as though there was a brief pause in all of our lives and we finally felt like a band from New Zealand. We were on home turf and creating from a place that felt fundamentally natural.” That sensation was further underscored by Willowbank’s recording sessions falling over the cherished holiday season, during which the Yumis were surrounded by family. Burgess credits some of the small, often mundane Kiwi traditions of the time for influencing their mindset. “New Zealand has a distinct feel from Christmas to the end of January. Things shut down. It has a calming presence, it’s very peaceful.”

When you know it’s there, the feeling of rootedness is undeniable on Willowbank. Being connected to their origins on the bottom of the earth allowed the band to craft another essential chapter in the Yumi Zouma storybook.

Limited edition Willowbank 12″s are pressed on baby blue vinyl and include sheet music for album highlight “Carnation” printed on premium cotton paper. Select limited edition LPs will also include hidden entry tickets to invite-only release parties in New York City and Los Angeles, featuring live and DJ sets from the band.

The band will be heading out on tour in October with a London show on album release date on 6 October at Omeara and a date in Brighton at The Joker on 8 October.